STORIES of struggling families are emerging after children’s services in South Gloucestershire were rated as “inadequate” by Ofsted.

A four-week inspection last November and December concluded that overall services in South Gloucestershire were “inadequate”, and that disabled children in particular were being affected.

The report noted: “Too many vulnerable children with disabilities have been left without adequate help or protection.

“As a result, children have been left in situations of unmet need and unassessed risk.”

Sandie Davis, a foster carer of over 35-years who specialises in children with disabilities and additional needs, spoke out about the issue at a council meeting on Wednesday, February 15.

Addressing South Gloucestershire councillors, she said: “I would like to talk to you about the recently published dire Ofsted report.

“It is your job to ensure that services are good – if you don’t have enough information about this then you need to ask.”

She added: “From my personal point of view I have found that the support from social workers has been good.

“However, reviews are often delayed – my two adult boys, who are under the 0-25 – are still pending.”

Parent Sharon Fox, from Kingswood, has been dealing with the system since the end of last year told the Gazette that “it's not been a good experience“.

The 37-year-old single mum described her repeated difficulty in trying to get help through the 0-25 service for her 11-year-old son Archie, who has autism and anxiety.

She explained: “Archie coped well during his time at primary school, and had an excellent attendance record, but began facing difficulties during his transition to high school.”

“I’ve been trying to get him the support he needs but I feel like he is slipping through the net.”

After being rushed to hospital in December, Archie was passed on as an emergency to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – who referred him to the 0-25 children’s disability service. 

The family have been “passed back and forth” ever since, according to Sharon, who juggles caring for two sons with her full time job as a sales representative.

She said: “Nothing seems to be happening – every day I call the council to try and get him the help he needs but it feels like no one cares.

“I’m so worried that Archie isn’t going to get the support he needs and that he’s going to grow up unable to get a job.

“It’s breaking my heart.”

The mother-of-two added that she may be forced to leave her job in the future if she doesn’t get “much needed” help.

She said: “It seems like a child has to be at breaking point before they’re given any kind of support.

“Just how bad does it have to get before you can get any help?”

Cllr Jon Hunt, chairman of the children, adults and health committee, said that the council were already addressing problems in the service, specifically “communication and information monitoring”.

He added: “The needs of children, especially vulnerable children and their families must always come first.

"I am very clear that our aspiration is to see services for children and young people move to a good rating at the earliest opportunity.”

Peter Murphy, Director of Children, Adults and Health at the council said that they are determined to improve the service: 

"What I can assure you of is that we are already taking steps to bring about rapid improvement, which is acknowledged by Ofsted in the report.

"We have set up an improvement board specifically looking at our 0 to 25 disability service to ensure the needs of our most vulnerable children and young people are being met. This remains a top priority for the council and a robust improvement plan is being developed to address all the recommendations in the report."

The 0-25 service will be monitored by Ofsted in the coming months.